BLIND WAR HERO HAS LOST MEDALS REPLACED
ABLIND D-Day veteran who lost his war medals after an emotional trip to Normandy has been given a set of replacements.
Alfred Barlow, 96, from Romiley, Stockport, landed on ‘Sword’ beach, the third and final Allied landing sector of the Normandy coastline in France, on June 6, 1944, at the age of 24.
He served as a corporal with the 3rd Reconnaissance Corps and took part in the annual anniversary pilgrimage to Normandy with the Stockport Normandy Veterans and Friends group last month, returning to the very beaches he had fought on more than 70 years ago.
But the poignant trip ended in despair after members of his family who accompanied him realised four of his service medals were missing after they stopped at Norton Canes Services near Walsall on the M6 Toll on their way back home to Stockport on Thursday, June 8.
Alfred’s loss made headlines around the country. The Hollywood actor Hugh Grant joined the charity Crimestoppers to offer four-figure rewards for their safe return after hearing about his plight.
But fellow veteran Alan Walker, 58, who is also blind, was so moved by Alfred’s story that he went out and bought four replacement medals from a specialist dealer.
Alfred - who was awarded France’s highest civil honour for bravery, the Legion d’Honneur, earlier this year - was presented with the medals at a special ceremony held at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
He said: “I am so grateful to all the people who have been kind to me and who have been to see me. People who don’t know me from Adam have been to see me in my home. I am very grateful to them.
“I’ve got some replacements now. It’s not quite the same, but nevertheless I have got some medals that I have earned.”
Alfred said he has given up hope of finding the original medals - the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the 1939-1945 War Medal and the Palestine Medal.
He added: “I have had offers of medals from other people’s fathers.
“One in particular came from Stockport and he offered me his father’s medals. That’s fantastic. But I wouldn’t want a son of mine giving my medals away.”
He also thanked Mr Walker, from Hassocks, West Sussex, for his generosity.
Alfred is being supported by the charity Blind Veterans UK.
Chief executive Nick Caplin said: “People across the country have been in touch with us, wanting to offer support to try and help Alfred to find his medals again or indeed find replacements.
“Just looking at Alfred’s face when he had his medals on his chest again and just talking to Alfred about how much his medals mean to him, is so meaningful.”
Anyone with information about the lost medals is being asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or the Blind Veterans UK hotline on 0800 389 7979.